(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Opening statements in the long-awaited trial for Letecia Stauch, who is accused of murdering her 11-year-old stepson, Gannon, began on Monday afternoon, April 3, at the El Paso County Courthouse.

In their opening statements, attorneys on both sides alleged that Letecia Stauch did, in fact, kill her stepson Gannon. The question that will be answered in this trial is whether Stauch was sane when she committed the act.

Opening statements were given by El Paso County District Attorney, Michael Allen, the prosecutor in this case, and the defense attorney Will Cook, representing Stauch.

The family of Gannon Stauch could be seen crying as Allen presented his opening statement, choking back tears himself. Allen presented Ganon’s autopsy report which shows he suffered 18 stab wounds to the chest and back as well as gunshot wounds to the skull.

“Evidence will show that she was sane on January 27 when she ended Gannon’s life,” said Allen.

Gannon was reported missing from his home in the Lorson Ranch neighborhood in Colorado Springs in January 2020, with his disappearance sparking a nationwide search. Allen alleges that Stauch rented a van and drove Gannon’s body to Florida, where his remains were found in a suitcase two months later under a bridge in Santa Rosa County.

“What happened to this little boy in 2020 is beyond description and the facts of the case… It’s awful,” acknowledged Cook, saying that facts, in this case, are too horrific for anyone in their right mind to commit.

Cook alleged that Leticia had suffered emotional, physical, and sexual abuse throughout her life, which he said led to her psychotic break at the time she killed Gannon.

“The person she was killing that day wasn’t Gannon… She was killing the demons in her life from the dark depths of her childhood,” said Cook.

An 18-person jury was finalized on Monday morning ahead of opening statements. The jury consists of 11 men and seven women, which attorneys narrowed down from a pool of 120 potential jurors.

In many iterations throughout his statement, Cook pleaded with the jury to give them a fair trial.

“We have lost in the court of public opinion and in the media… Do your jobs. Listen to the evidence. When the evidence is complete go back into the jury room and weigh the evidence. That’s all I’m asking of you, just give us a fair shake,” said Cook.

Stauch was in the courtroom on Monday, and stayed stationary, looking down or straight ahead throughout. She did not look toward the jury, the courtroom, or her attorneys, even when directly referred to.

More than 50 witnesses from around the country are expected to take the stand, including local law enforcement and the FBI.

Allen said people that will be testifying include people who can “vouch for her sanity” at the time of Gannon’s murder.

“People like Al Stauch, the man that was married to her. People like her brother… and most importantly her very own daughter Harley Hunt,” said Allen.

If Stauch is found not guilty by reason of insanity, Cook said she will still be held accountable, asserting that she will be committed to a state mental hospital when the trial is over.

On Tuesday, the prosecution will present its evidence, according to the judge. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.

The trial was delayed several times due to mental health and sanity evaluations after Stauch changed her plea to not guilty by reason of insanity.

Live updates from the court, were provided by FOX21 Reporter Rhea Jha on Twitter.